Further Reading: Cocktail Books
There are 1001 different cocktail books and unfortunately many of them simply recycle the same boring old recipes. Even worse, the recipes for well known cocktails are often recorded incorrectly. mix shake and pour maintains this list of recommended cocktail books, written by the best mixologists and cocktail gurus from the bar scene. Our recommendations are completely independent, making it easy for you to find and select a cocktail reference guide that meets your needs.
Cocktails Made Easy
Simon Difford provides the latest incarnation of his encyclopeadic guide to contemporary and classic cocktail recipes. This book is widely regarded as the bartenders bible and was an invaluable guide in producing this website. Highly recommended for the professional barman or home cocktail enthusiast!
A stripped down version of the Difford's guide that presents 500 cocktails that can be made from only 14 spirits. Really well presented and highly recommended for the home mixologist. This is mix shake and pour's recommendation for the cocktail beginner.
Simon Difford's Cocktails Made Easy is our recommendation for the home cocktail beginner.
The Essential Cocktail
New cocktails are accompanied by reinvented classics in these excellent books from the father of the modern cocktail: Dale DeGroff. Superb recipes are accompanied by contextual and historical background information as well as recollections and anecdotes from the best mixologist in the business.
Dale DeGroff's shares his mixology secrets in the Essential Cocktail.
Classic Cocktails
Salvatore Calabrese delivers the perfect introduction to the world of classic cocktails. The introductory and background information is excellent with an engrossing and informative exploration of that iconic classic: The Martini.
Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails is a beautifully written treatise on classic mixed drinks and long lost cocktail gems, from cocktail fiend Ted Haigh. The author distills a multitude of classic cocktail sources into a handy compendium of the essential mixes of yesteryear. This is a must buy if classic cocktails are your thing.
The Savoy Cocktail Book, by Harry Craddock, is one of the defining cocktail publications from the early part of the 20th century and is still in print today. Most of the recipes here remain as they were in the days before prohibition: short, sharp and very strong. If classic cocktails that remain untamed by a modern mixologist are not your thing, steer clear!
Classic cocktail guides as recommended by mix shake and pour.
Cocktail Culture
Kingwell's Classic Cocktails is an entertaining ramble through a host of classic cocktails, focusing more on what it means to drink cocktails and why you should bother making them properly rather than elaborating on exactly how to make them (although a few mixing tips are particularly well made!). Its packed full of literary references from Chandler and Hemingway to Wodehouse and Amis.
With Imbibe!, David Wondrich delivers a veritable compendium of cocktail tales that has been painstakingly researched. Wondrich delivers with wit and a real appreciation for what makes a great mixed drink. Highly recommended.
Charles H. Baker was the original bon vivant and recorded his drinking experiences in Jigger, Beaker and Glass: Drinking Around the World, which is a reprint of his original Gentleman's Companion.
The best in cocktail yarns, from David Wondrich.
Tiki Time
Jeff "Beachbum" Berry updates his seminal tiki cocktail tomes: the Grog Log and Intoxica in one handy Remixed volume. This is THE guide to tiki cocktails.
Sippin Safari brings more painstakingly researched tiki cocktail recipes from Jeff Berry, with loads of history on the people that made the tiki craze happen. A essential read for tiki fanatics.
Exotic tiki cocktail recipes from Jeff Berry.
The Low Down on Cocktail Ingredients
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And a Bottle of Rum delivers a hugely entertaining romp through the history of Rum from journalist and "Slow Cocktails" blogger, Wayne Curtis.
Do not judge Gary Regan's treatise on Gin by its slightly disappointing cover. Once inside, you will discover a somewhat joyous treatise on this often misunderstood spirit.
And a Bottle of Rum.
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